This Sumac Collins will be your new favorite cocktail recipe. It combines a homemade Sumac simple syrup, bright gin, lemon, and soda, creating an incredibly diverse yet approachable cocktail. The definition of drinkable – this drink is sure to please.
Back in July, I went to Portland for some of my very dear friends’ wedding. My husband and I went a few days early to enjoy this wonderful city. Before the rest of our friends arrived, we had a day and evening to ourselves. Naturally… I had a very packed agenda for us.
Let me just get this on the table: my husband and I travel very differently. Where he is the carefree, no plans needed, fly by the seat of his pants kind of traveler, I tend to be a little Type A, agenda made two months in advance, with rigorous research conducted on the years’ best restaurant, greatest spot for coffee, and “must-see’s” in a 50 mile radius that we could mayyyybe squeeze in.
Now, that’s not to say that he doesn’t enjoy a little organization on our trips, and that I don’t thoroughly enjoy relying on suggestions from locals and meandering the streets of an unknown city.
…sometimes.
All this to explain that when I plan trips the way I normally travel, I’m met with some hesitation… call at defiance… when I map out an entire day for us. Needless to say, my husband wasn’t thrilled when I told him we had a dinner reservation at a place that we had to take a 15 minute Uber ride to.
(Anyone else also rolling their eyes? Thank you!)
I was so excited to check out Shalom Y’all, this very well reviewed restaurants in SE PDX. The menu included:
- Beet Cured Gravlax
- Crispy Trout
- Shawarma
- Kebab
- ALL the Hummus
You can see why I was adamant to check the spot out now, right?!
We get there, and are pleased to find that it is a very small and quaint restaurant, expertly decorated, with an open format kitchen, and an absolutely stunning bar. We’re seated, and immediately begin to review the cocktail menu.
“I’ll have one of everything!!”
Is what I really wanted to shout it from the top of my lungs. But, like a well-behaved a Minnesotan, I bit my tongue, and politely ordered a Moroccan Cirtus Honey-Vodka situation. My husband on the other hand, decided to order something that quite honestly, he surprised me by: a Sumac Collins. Surprising, because I had no idea he even knew what sumac is (nor do I think he knows to this day…). I had been obsessing over sumac for the last few months, constantly trying to create delicious recipes that included the delicious Middle Eastern spice.
We started to review the food menu after our drink orders were placed, which I won’t even get into. So much good food! If you need specific recommendations… Please reach out. This place is absolutely fabulous, and you truly can’t go wrong!
Back to cocktails.
The drinks arrive, along with some Fried Almonds with Za’atar.
Can I stay all night?!
First sips taken.
Can I stay forever?!
The Sumac Collins was bright, effervescent, and so….drinkable. I know this seems like a simple word to describe a cocktail that I making out to be absolutely glorious, but do you know what I mean? Like, I could without a problem suck down at least three of these Collins in 5 minutes.
But I’m an adult.
So that’s kind of frowned upon.
That is, until I make a big batch of these this weekend.
But don’t tell.
Also, pro tip:
START USING SUMAC ON EVERYTHING.
It’s unreal! It’s lemony, tart, and oddly unexpected. In the best way possible.
In addition to using it in the simple syrup for this cocktail, I’ve been using it for:
- Roasted potatoes
- Marinades (primarily for chicken!)
- Salad dressings
- Sprinkled on top of hummus
- On popcorn
My mouth is seriously watering just thinking about this
Check out the recipe below and make it for yourself. This is the Sumac I used – it’s reasonably priced for the amount you get, and I’ve had difficulty tracking it down at my grocery store(s). Enjoy!
Sumac Collins
This Sumac Collins will be your new favorite cocktail recipe. It combines a homemade Sumac simple syrup, bright gin, lemon, and soda, creating an incredibly diverse yet approachable cocktail. The definition of drinkable - this drink is sure to please.
Servings: 1 drink
Ingredients
Sumac Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2-3 Tbsp ground sumac
- 1 1/2 oz gin
- 1 oz Sumac Simple Syrup
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- Soda
Instructions
Sumac Simple Syrup:
- In a small saucepan combine water and sugar, set over medium heat.
- Watch closely, swirling pan to dissolve sugar. Once sugar is completely dissolved, remove from heat.
- Add ground sumac to pan, allow to steep until cool. Strain out any solids, and transfer to a glass jar. Store in fridge for up to one week.
Sumac Collins:
- In an ice filled cocktail shaker, combine gin,sumac simple syrup, and juice of half a lemon. Shake vigorously until combined.
- Pour in to an ice filled Collins glass. Top with soda, garnish with lemon.